Toyota and Ford plug in their hybrids

Toyota shows its plug-in Prius on the show floor.

(Credit: CNET Networks/Sarah Tew)

Toyota surprised us with a plug-in hybrid Prius on the floor at the 2008 Detroit auto show. The company has resisted the plug-in hybrid movement previously, citing the fact that you don't need to plug in the Prius as a virtue. But there has been quite a bit of interest in plug-in hybrids from individuals and even power companies. Plug-in proponents claim to get 100 mpg by modifying Priuses and recharging the batteries when the cars aren't being used. Toyota seems to have finally given into the plug-in pressure, starting up its own plug-in program and handing over a couple of prototype plug-in Priuses to the University of California. At the Detroit auto show, Toyota not only had a plug-in Prius on the floor, along with an informational display, but it also had two running around the city as VIP transportation. The plug-in Priuses still use Toyota's hybrid system, but have been modified with an additional nickel-metal-hydride battery pack, increasing electric range and speeds.

Ford also has a plug-in hybrid.

(Credit: CNET Networks/Sarah Tew)

Ford also got into the game, showing off a plug-in Escape Hybrid in its display area. Ford is working on the plug-in technology in conjunction with Southern California Edison. The plug-in Ford Escape Hybrid uses lithium-ion batteries, giving it fuel economy of 120 mpg, according to Ford.

Click here for more 2008 Detroit auto show coverage.

[fokwp]

C'mon, don't site 120MPG when in reality the power is coming from electricity, not the gas in the engine. The less we spin things green, the faster we'll get to real solutions.

[dnl2ba]

fokwp: Even though a lot of U.S. electricity is generated from coal, there are some places (like much of California) where our electricity comes from natural gas. We can also generate power domestically from a number of sources rather than importing foreign oil. Third, if we don't have to import foreign fuel, that cuts down on transportation overhead (think of all the fuel, containers, tires, etc. used just to transport gas) since we can generate and distribute power locally.

[moofer]

And what is the expected release date of these cars? I'm sick-to-death of hearing about PHEV vehicles, only to be followed up with "2010" - I have excess solar capacity NOW, and the technology exists for such a car TODAY.

[hrstruggle]

How long are these battery packs expected to last? And what will the cost be to replace them? I'm seriously considering one of these cars but need to know these things to see what my costs will be for the life-span of the vehicle.